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February 23, 2006
NewsWire Complete Issue
By The AVweb Editorial Staff
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 Use Trade-A-Plane's New Search Feature to Search the Entire Site -- up to 10,000 ads -- or just specific portions from the advertiser and product indices.
It's your choice. It's that easy! Call Trade-A-Plane at (800) 337-5263, or go online to " Buy, Sell,
Fly!" |
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Security measures have increased at airports around the country in the last few years, with fences, cameras and I.D. badges required in places that once were open to all -- yet it seems that small
airplanes still are not protected from thievery. Last year, 11 GA aircraft were stolen and 68 were burglarized, according to statistics compiled by the Aviation Crime Prevention Institute (ACPI). The
total value of the stolen airplanes is $950,000, and the 183 stolen items were valued at $550,000. Florida has the highest number of burglaries, followed by Georgia, according to the ACPI. The stolen
aircraft were a Cessna 210 in Arkansas, two Cessna 182s in Arizona, a 182 and a Beech 23 in California, a 172 in Texas, three Cessnas in Mexico (two 210s and a 206), and a Piper Seneca III in the
Bahamas. Also, a Bell 206, crated on a shipping dock, went missing in South Africa.
As of Monday, a thief with a taste for avionics apparently is working his (or her) way south along Interstate 95, the ACPI said. Reports began a few weeks ago in the Northeast and the most recent
report came last Friday from Freeway Airport in Bowie, Md., near Washington, D.C. Late-model Bendix/King and Garmin units are the preferred choice of thieves overall, and GPS units have become very
popular, says the ACPI. Owners of airplanes with that kind of equipment may want to beef up their vigilance or anti-theft protection. The ACPI is a non-profit organization working to reduce
aviation-related crime through education and by facilitating cooperation between the aviation industry and law-enforcement agencies. A new Web site
is under construction that will help to quickly disseminate information about stolen aircraft and thefts, as well as offering theft-prevention advice.
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 Aircraft Spruce Reduces Pricing on Your Noisebuster HeadsetThe Noisebuster Headset is only $39.95. Noisebuster electronically cancels background noise. Try it on
an airplane to reduce engine din and enhance the sounds of in-flight entertainment. This headset is comfortable, lightweight, adjustable, and foldable for portability and easy storage. It includes a
travel pouch, an airplane seat dual-prong adapter, and one AAA battery. Limited time offer. Refer to part number 11-00107. Call 1-877-4SPRUCE or visit online. |
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With a wave of controller retirements looming, the FAA had announced plans to hire 1,249 new controllers in fiscal year 2006. That plan now has been cut back by as many as 300. "This is a very
disturbing development," Doug Church, spokesman for the National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA) told AVweb yesterday. "This
agency is simply not keeping up with current attrition trends." Congress has told the FAA to cut its budget by 1 percent, said Church, but the cutback in hiring would be 25 percent. "These are
positions that the FAA themselves said in December of 2004 were critical," said NATCA President John Carr. More than 15,000 FAA air traffic controllers currently staff 315 facilities across the
country.
The FAA is reviewing its budget in order to meet the congressional mandate to cut back by 1 percent, FAA spokesman Greg Martin told AVweb yesterday, and has made no determination as yet
regarding how that might affect the controller-hiring target. "We're evaluating the entire landscape of our needs and priorities," he said. "We continue to work hard to fulfill a plan in which we will
hire more controllers than we lose by attrition." Preparing for and hiring replacements for pending controller retirements is "an important priority" for the FAA, he said. Martin also noted that when
the hiring plan was announced in 2004, it was expected that the plan would be updated on an annual basis.
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Direct-To Avionics (D2A) announced Tuesday a full recall of the Crossbow 425EX AHRS used in experimental Chelton Electronic Flight Instrumentation
Systems (EFIS), saying the AHRS has been "plagued by performance and reliability problems" and will not be used in future units. The component will be replaced by the Pinpoint Inertial GADAHRS (GPS /
Air Data / Attitude and Heading Reference System), which D2A said has proven to exceed all of its performance and reliability parameters. D2A is the exclusive distributor of Chelton's experimental
EFIS line, and also participates in the development and evaluation of future Chelton systems for both certified and experimental aircraft. "Direct-To Avionics is committed to providing the best, most
reliable, and most accurate components for our Chelton EFIS systems. Our customers want to know that when they're flying with their families, they're flying with the highest quality, best performing
equipment available," said Kirk Hammersmith, president of Direct-To Avionics, in a news release.
Nav Canada was set to start imposing new user fees on March 1, but on Monday announced a delay. The agency has decided that it
needs more time to review the voluminous input it received during the comment period, which ended Feb. 10. A new decision on how to proceed is expected in April, Nav Canada said. For the time being,
status quo will prevail. Adam Hunt, a spokesman for the Canadian Owners & Pilots Association (COPA), told AVweb on Tuesday the announcement was not unexpected. Nav Canada has received "a very
high volume of correspondence from COPA, our members and many other aviation industry associations and companies vehemently opposing Nav Canada's proposed introduction of new fees," Hunt said. "That
naturally will require more time for Nav Canada and their board to look at the letters received and their options before proceeding. COPA is very interested to see what Nav Canada's next announcement
will be."
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 "Trade-Up" Your
LightSPEED Headset!Trade-up your LightSPEED XL or K headset toward a LightSPEED Thirty 3G and get the quietest, most comfortable headset on the market. LightSPEED's Thirty 3G
connects to a host of accessories (cell phone & music interfaces) and provides up to 30 hours of ANR. Retailed at $599, with this "Trade-Up" program you may want to buy a second headset. For more
info, contact LightSPEED at (800) 332-2421 during business hours (PST) or visit online. |
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Jamie Weller, 36, of Nottingham, U.K., is working to pass all the tests required to qualify as a hot-air balloon pilot -- but his hardest obstacle may be to obtain a medical certificate. Weller lost
most of his vision due to a genetic condition that deteriorated when he was in the Royal Navy. He's taking lessons anyway, and says flying gives him a sense of freedom and achievement. "My safety
person -- my co-pilot -- acts as my eyes," he told the BBC News. The co-pilot warns Weller about
obstacles and advises him about landing areas. "I use my other senses ... I feel the balloon and respond to the balloon as I am flying it. I feel the wind in my face that gives me input on wind
direction. ... It's always been a dream for me to fly -- it is such an achievement for me to do this." The Civil Aviation Authority told the BBC they are reviewing Weller's case and will do what they
can to accommodate his desire to fly. The agency said it has supported many disabled flyers in gaining a license, "providing the necessary safety levels can be achieved."
Pilot Jerry Shiffer, 68, died on Nov. 29, when his twin Cessna 425 crashed in Montana. The same day, at his home field in Urbana, Ohio, the first pieces of a wrecked B-17 bomber arrived, ready to be
assembled and restored to flying condition. Shiffer had planned to create a museum to showcase the airplane and its place in history, and now his three children will oversee the completion of the
project. "This is something Dad wanted, and Dave and Eric and I want to see it completed," Shiffer's daughter, Andrea Tullis, told The Associated Press. Shiffer's sons, Dave and Eric, are both pilots, and plan to learn to fly the bomber. The restoration process will be directed by warbird veteran Tom Reilly, and is estimated to take eight to ten years. Visitors and volunteers are welcome at the
hangar, at Grimes Field. The project's Web site includes a Web cam showing progress on the restoration.
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 The SJ30-2 Is the World's
Fastest Light Business JetNot only is it fast; it has intercontinental range -- 560 mph and over 2800 sm range. The SJ30-2 is the most advanced light business jet in the sky
today — the perfect package of speed, range, and good looks. Click here for details. |
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Space Adventures said last week it has entered into a joint venture with Prodea, a
private investment firm founded by the Ansari family (the same Ansaris who funded the $10 million X Prize). The company also has partnered with the Federal Space Agency of the Russian Federation to
develop a fleet of suborbital spaceflight vehicles. The space transportation system, called Explorer, consists of a carrier aircraft, the M-55X, and a rocket spacecraft. It will have the
capacity to carry five people into space, Space Adventures said. The company subsequently announced it has entered into agreements to build spaceports in the United Arab Emirates and in Singapore.
"The Ansari X Prize inspired and enabled the future of private spaceflights by proving that the necessary technology can be developed commercially," said Eric Anderson, CEO of Space Adventures.
Anousheh Ansari and Anderson agreed in a statement, "Our visions for opening the space frontier are completely aligned. This joint venture will enable millions of people to realize their dreams of
spaceflight."
Young people who belong to Aviation Explorers can apply for up to $10,000 in scholarships to advance in
their aviation career. The National Aviation Exploring Committee will this year award five scholarships. The scholarships include $10,000 to help finance a course of study leading to an aviation
profession; three $3,000 awards to study avionics, maintenance, or aviation management; and $3,000 to train for a Recreational or Private certificate. Sponsors for the scholarships include AOPA,
Cessna, Frasca, Garmin, and Sporty's Pilot Shop. Aviation Exploring is a national youth development program open to young men and women ages 14 to 20. The scholarship application requires three
letters of recommendation and a 500-word educational plan. Applicants under 18 must have parental or guardian approval. Deadline is March 31, and the awards will be announced on July 1.
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Get Award-Winning VFLITETM Computer-Based Training for Your GPSDon't
train in the cockpit! Discover the safe way to get the full power of your GNS 530/430, GPSMap and AirMap navigators. The new VFLITE GNS 530/430 Advanced Training CD-ROM is FAA FITS-accepted
and helps you reach a higher level of understanding on complex procedures. Recommended by Garmin (R) and Lowrance (R), VFLITE programs are
the ideal solution for both initial and recurrent training. Prices start at $49.95. Windows and Mac compatible. Click here for
free demos and more information.
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Sixty-three of America's first African-American fighter pilots will receive honorary degrees from Tuskegee University
today, as part of the Sixth Annual Tuskegee Airmen Convocation. The event recognizes the Tuskegee Airmen's exemplary combat performance during World War II, which included the destruction of 260 enemy
aircraft while not losing a single bomber to enemy fire in more than 200 combat missions, a record unmatched by any other fighter group. The Tuskegee Airmen comprised about 1,000 pilots who trained at
Tuskegee in segregated units from 1940 to 1946. Sixty-six airmen were killed in action, 32 were taken prisoner, and 850 medals were awarded to members of the group. Following today's convocation, the
National Park Service, Tuskegee University and the Tuskegee Airmen will host a groundbreaking ceremony at the Tuskegee Airmen National Historic Site at historic Moton Field airport, where the airmen trained.
A controller at LAX last week mistakenly cleared three aircraft at once for the same
runway...
Plans for a new GA airport in Virginia have stalled due to landowner opposition...
FAA and ICAO agreed this week to new international standards for aviation English proficiency, including a
Standard Aviation English Test, to be in place by March 2008...
Washington Dulles Airport to get $200 million for a new runway...
EAA's Sport Pilot Tour stop in Mesa, Ariz., last week set a record for attendance and number of sport aircraft on
the field...
The NTSB this week published its final report on the fatal crash Corporate Airlines Flight 5966 in Kirksville, Mo.,
in October 2004.
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In Aircraft Insurance, There Is an Option -- Go Direct to AvemcoMany insurance agents say they
represent "all the markets," implying once you call them you needn't bother with any other aircraft insurance provider. What these agents don't tell you is that there is an option --
Avemco. Avemco is the ONLY direct writer of general aviation insurance in the country and the only insurance company you can contact directly to purchase insurance. You always have an option
with Avemco, offering mid-term premium discounts, storage options, credits for training, same-day service, and multiple payment options. Call (888) 241-7891 or go online.
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BRAINTEASERS
Quiz #104: Preflight This
No person shall begin a flight without ensuring that most of the aircraft parts are attached in an airworthy fashion. That inspection requires more than a laminated checklist, so let's preflight the
logbook, fuel, and pilot's airworthiness.
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MAINTENANCE MATTERS
No Muss, No Fuss Oil Changing
If you're interested in changing your own oil and oil filter -- and pilot-certificated owners are allowed to -- don't treat it as an easy job even if you've done it on your car. Complexities abound
and errors are costly. AVweb presents a basic outline of the process, as well as an in-depth description of how to deal with that oil filter.
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AUDIO CLIP
Radar contact. Paul Berge identifies the differences in meaning for both VFR and IFR pilots when a controller says "radar contact." He also tells you what it doesn't mean for any pilot engaged
in either type of flight. Click through to learn.
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Higher, Faster, Farther, and (Frankly) Just Plain BetterColumbia accumulated some pretty impressive hardware
this year. The Columbia 400 garnered top honors as: "Editors Choice," FLYING magazine; "Best GA Aircraft of 2005," Aero News Network; and "Best of the Best Personal Aircraft
2005," Robb Report. Call it validation for 235-knot cruise, 1,300-nautical-mile range, Utility Category durability, and state-of-the-art innovation. How does your aircraft measure up? Check this!
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HAVE YOU SIGNED UP yet for AVweb’s NO-COST twice monthly Business AVflash? Reporting on breaking news, Business AVflash also focuses on the companies, the products and the industry leaders that
make headlines in the Business of Aviation. Business AVflash is a must read. Watch for a Business AVflash regular feature, TSA WATCH: GA IN THE "SPOTLIGHT". Sign up today at http://www.avweb.com/profile/
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Bonanza & Baron Owners: Learn to Save Thousands on MaintenanceThe 10,000-member American Bonanza Society
is sponsoring two weekend Savvy Owner Seminars by maintenance expert Mike Busch: April 22-23 in San Francisco (CCR) and November 4-5 in Mobile (BFM), including a TCM factory tour.
Seminars are open to all GA aircraft owners! In one information-packed weekend, Mike teaches how to save literally thousands on maintenance costs, year after year. For details and to reserve your space, go online.
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*** PREVIOUS RESULTS ***
Last week,
AVweb asked how many of our readers would like to fly for a living.
As it turns out, visitors to a G.A. web site still think it's
a pretty good gig — but the margin is shockingly slim! 44% of
those who responded answered yes, while another 39% of you
said These days? No, thank you.
And those readers who already work as pilots? 12% of our total
respondents copped to being pilots who are happy with their jobs,
while another 4% said That's my job, but I wish it weren't.
*** THIS WEEK'S QUESTION ***
Will there or won't there be a shortage of controllers? The
FAA is walking a new tightrope under a stricter budget, and NATCA
believes trouble is on the horizon. What do you think?
Click here to answer
Have an idea for a new QOTW? Send your suggestions to
qotw@avweb.com. NOTE:
This address is
only for suggested QOTW questions, and not for QOTW answers or
comments.
Use
this form to send QOTW comments to our AVmail Editor.
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Bring Digital Audio Technology to Your AircraftWith the flying season just around the corner, owners of
retractable-gear aircraft can add an extra margin of safety by installing a P2 Audio Advisory System. Just like the new jets, the system combines audio and visual advisories for landing gear
position, Vne overspeed, stall warning, and output for a Hobbs meter. Digital voice technology actually speaks to the pilot via headset and/or speaker: "GEAR IS DOWN FOR LANDING"; "OVERSPEED";
"CHECK GEAR"; and "STALL." Regularly priced at $1,795, these systems are now available for $1,295. Learn more online.
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Drop us a line. If it caught your attention, it will probably interest someone else, too. Submit news tips via email to
newstips@avweb.com. You're a part of our team ... often, the best
part.
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ASO -- A Better Way to Sell Your Aircraft ShareFinding aircraft share buyers can be almost impossible. FBO bulletin
board flyers are too limited, and ads in national publications are too broad. There's a better way with ASO's Partnership Ads. List your share on ASO, the most trusted place for aircraft sales,
where interested buyers have the ability to search geographically to easily find your partnership listing. For a limited time, select Partnership Ads are complimentary. To get your share in front of
potential buyers tomorrow, call (888) 992-9276 today or visit online.
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Submit a Photo |
Rules |
Tips |
Questions
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Past POTW Winners Steve Ratchford of Norcross, Georgia kicks
off this week's installment of "Picture of the Week." With all the
excitement of recent winners, Steve took a different approach to his
submission, and won the top spot with a quiet, subdued photo — of his
airplane's tire? (There's more to the photo than that, of
course.)
We'll be sending Steve and Alex a matching pair of AVweb baseball
caps. Just don't get any grease on 'em, O.K., boys?
For a shot at one of these hats — and the international fame that
comes with being a "POTW" finalist — be sure to send us your own photos.
*** THIS WEEK'S WINNERS ***
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"Mechanic in Training"
More
youngsters putting in time of the family plane:
Steve Ratchford
of Norcross, Georgia enlisted the help of his four-year-old son Alex to
change the tires on their
Columbia 400 — and took home this week's top spot. |
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AVweb continues to receive a large number of excellent images for
our POTW contest. Here are some of the runners-up. Due to privacy issues,
AVweb does not publish e-mail addresses of
readers who submit photos. |
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"Cargo Drop"
Daniel Valovich of Hot Spring,
Arkansas had a couple of photos in this week's top ten contender pile —
but it was this blue-sky cargo drop that kept fighting its way to the
top of our pile. Daniel seems to spend a good bit of time at
Little Rock Air
Force Base, where this photo was taken. |
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copyright ©
Erwin Stam
Used with permission |
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"Dutch Treat"
Erwin Stam of Medemblik, North
Holland (Netherlands) returns to the contenders pile this week.
Jets, missiles, and action-packed flying machines are quickly becoming
Erwin's
trademark — not that we're complaining. |
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Used with
permission of
Scott & Kim Huntington |
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"Floatplane from Underneath"
Scott and
Kim Huntington of Santa Maria,
California drew our eyes to the sky with this underbelly shot of Kim's
floatplane check ride. (The seabird belongs to Terry Campbell of
NorCal Aviation.) |
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copyright ©
Jean Aker
Used with permission |
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"KC-97 Wreck at Volk Field, WI — 1978"
We don't like to dwell on crash site photos, but sometimes they're a
keen reminder of the high cost of flying. Jean
Aker of Gaithersburg, Maryland sent us this shot, taken with
a Canon FTb/ql 35mm camera with 50mm lens. |
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"Long Day"
Speaking of cameras (and camera tricks), Jared
Yates of Wilmington, North Carolina achieved this effect by
changing the zoom while the shutter was open. But, as Jared points
out, the effect is nearly identical to what you see and feel after a
long day of staring at screens and gauges. |
To enter next week's contest,
click here.
A Reminder About Copyrights: Please take a moment to consider the
source of your image before submitting to our "Picture of the Week" contest.
If you did not take the photo yourself, ask yourself if you are indeed
authorized to release publication rights to AVweb. If you're uncertain,
consult the
POTW
Rules or
send us an e-mail.
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AVWEB APPRECIATES YOUR CONTINUED SUPPORT OF OUR SPONSORS,
WHO BRING YOU TODAY'S NEWS AND FEATURES AT NO COST TO
YOU
Low-Cost Digital Replacement Transponders!
Narco Avionics proudly announces the availability of their all-new Value Series plug & play line of
digital transponders. The Value Series is designed for the cost-conscious owner. Narco's Value Series plug & play transponders include the AT165/VS (a replacement for the AT50 through AT155), the
AT165/KA/VS (a replacement for the KT76A/78A), and the AT165/K/VS (a replacement for the KT76/78). Coming Soon: Narco's AT165/C and AT165/C/VS, plug & play
replacements for the ARC (Cessna) RT359A/RT459A. For more information, visit Narco Avionics online.
DA40 Diamond Star a Fleet Favorite
Airline Transport Professionals, Beijing PanAm, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University CAPT, Empire Aviation, Middle Tennessee
State University, and Utah Valley State College -- all have selected the G1000-equipped DA40 Diamond Star. For value, efficiency, and safety, the DA40 is the fleet favorite. For more
information, click here.
See What ATC Sees & Then See What They Do with the Information
The AVweb Edition of Flight Explorer is the PC-based graphical aircraft situation
display that gives you a real-time picture of all IFR aircraft in-flight over the U.S. and Canada. Whether you're tracking a friend or want to learn more about the system in action, Flight Explorer
has the information you want for just $9.95 a month. Subscribe now.
Fed Up with Big Bills for Routine Aircraft Maintenance?!
Subscribe to Light Plane Maintenance and join thousands of savvy general aviation owners
who are saving big by doing-it-themselves! Each monthly issue brings tips and techniques for maintenance procedures you can perform yourself, legally and easily. Order now for big savings off the regular rates.
Better than an IFR Refresher, This Manual Is Real-World Flying!
With Rod Machado's Instrument Pilots Survival Manual, private pilots can
learn: mimicking pro pilot thinking strategies; developing IFR self-talk skills; managing cockpit resources; planning for unanticipated changes; a three-step instrument scan; IFR charting secrets;
insights into flying GPS approaches; and techniques for avoiding thunderstorms and handling icing conditions. Pilots claim, "You can't find some of this information anywhere else!" Order online.
Comm1 Radio Simulator -- Special Offer to AVweb Subscribers
Receive a complimentary Communications Reference Card with the purchase of any Comm1 Radio
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Hassle-Free Auto Buying from CrewCar & Consumer Guides
Don't go blindly into a dealership when purchasing a vehicle; look to CrewCar. CrewCar is a
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Consumer Guide dealership network standards. For more information, click here.
Kitplanes' April Issue Includes The 2006 Engine Directory
Plus: "Fighter Pilot Fun, Minus the Fuss" -- a warbird kit from Loehle Aircraft;
"Zenith's Four-Place STOL 801" -- simple construction with a back-country and cross-country constitution; "Put It on the Tab" -- an invention that may help with roll-trim; "Power Play!" -- one
builder's O-320 power chart; "New Digs for the Ultimate Homebuilt" -- the induction ceremony of SpaceShipOne in the National Air & Space Museum's Milestones Gallery; and "Product Review:
AVMap EKP-IV" -- a niche well served. Don't miss another issue; order Kitplanes now.
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AVwebFlash is a twice-weekly summary of the latest news, articles, products, features, and events featured on AVweb, the internet's aviation magazine and news service.
Today's issue was written by news writer Mary Grady (bio).
Click here to send
a letter to the editor. (Please let us know if your letter is not intended for publication.)
Comments or questions about the news should be sent
here.
Have a product or service to advertise on AVweb? A question on marketing? Send it to AVweb's sales team.
If you're having trouble reading this newsletter in its HTML-rich format (or if you'd prefer a lighter, simpler format for your PDA or handheld device), there's also a text-only
version of AVwebFlash. For complete instructions on making the switch, click here.
Freedom, independence, responsibility.
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